3 countries exempted from participating in 2026 World Cup – and why

Three countries volition not diagnostic astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup aft being excluded from the contention for antithetic reasons.

Russia remains barred from planetary shot pursuing the penetration of Ukraine successful February 2022.

Both FIFA and UEFA person upheld the ban, meaning the Russian Football Union (RFU), its men’s and women’s nationalist teams, and home clubs are ineligible to vie successful upcoming tournaments, including the World Cup and European Championships.

When UEFA conducted its qualification gully successful December, Russia was notably absent, leaving the different 54 subordinate countries divided into 12 groups to vie for a spot astatine the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

FIFA has besides announced the suspension of Congo and Pakistan, ruling them retired of the planetary tournament.

The Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) was suspended owed to what FIFA described arsenic “a peculiarly superior concern of undue interference by 3rd parties” successful its operations.

The governing assemblage said the determination followed associated FIFA and CAF missions to Brazzaville.

The suspension volition lone beryllium lifted if FECOFOOT regains afloat power of its headquarters, halts attempts to change slope relationship signatories, allows an advertisement hoc committee to function, and ensures independency from extracurricular influence.

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) faced akin consequences aft failing to follow a revised constitution that would let for “truly just and antiauthoritarian elections.”

FIFA confirmed that Pakistan’s suspension volition stay until the federation’s legislature approves the mentation of the constitution prepared successful collaboration with FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

Both teams had already struggled successful their qualifiers. Congo beryllium bottommost of Group E successful the African section, portion Pakistan finished past successful Group G of the Asian qualifiers.

The 2026 World Cup volition beryllium staged crossed the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with the USA hosting the bulk of matches successful 11 cities.

Argentina, who lifted the trophy successful Qatar 2022 aft defeating France connected penalties successful a thrilling final, stay the defending champions.

Vanguard News

The station 3 countries exempted from participating successful 2026 World Cup – and why appeared archetypal connected Vanguard News.